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Experts: Oceanic/Woodside optimized descent exists in design but is under ATC control
Summary
Technical staff told the Fly Quiet TWG that an optimized Oceanic/Woodside descent profile exists but is not currently flown as designed because ATC issues hard altitudes and hands traffic to approach control; the procedure would need redesign to be implemented as originally intended.
Members asked whether the Oceanic/Woodside descent could be converted to a stair-step profile that would reduce noise. A technical panelist (Agency official, speaker 3) told the group an optimized descent profile exists in design but is not actively flown: "Right now there is a a optimized profile, descent... it isn't being really flown as that right now." He explained that ATC currently issues hard altitudes and hands traffic to approach control, which stair-steps aircraft down rather than following the optimized continuous-descent path.
Moderator repeated the practical consequence: because the procedure is under ATC control it is not a Fly Quiet program element and should be treated as a candidate for future work-plan design if the group wants to pursue re-design and re-implementation. The panel also noted that some previously available procedure variants are no longer available ("the OPD that was there is no longer available"), which limits immediate options.
What was recommended: treat Oceanic/Woodside as an ATC-controlled item for follow-up, and document the design work needed if the Roundtable wants the airport to pursue changes with FAA/ATC.
